Despite disappointment, Dodgers support Ramirez

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers may be disappointed in Manny Ramirez, but they believe he deserves a chance at redemption.

"We all do make mistakes," said general manager Ned Colletti, addressing a huge media crowd at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, the day the team learned Ramirez had received a 50-game suspension for violation of major league drug policy.

"I've learned in my life and watching over people that you can be saddened and you can feel not right about something, but there's none of us that haven't done something we wish he hadn't done.

"He takes ownership of what transpired. I think it speaks to the man, and that's not all bad. I'm not condoning anything, but when you stand up and admit a mistake it's part of being human."

Manager Joe Torre said he spoke to a subdued Ramirez, who was "trying to gather his thoughts," earlier in the day.

"I think the worst thing a person can be is a disappointment to someone else," Torre continued, "and Manny feels like a disappointment. For a guy who, when you watch him play this game, is all full of enthusiasm and confidence, right now, he's not that guy. He's a human being and we're going to support him."

His teammates' comments were generally supportive, as well.

"Bottom line," said injured infielder Doug Mientkiewicz, "it doesn't change the way I feel about him as a person, the way I feel about him as a teammate, the way I feel about him as a player."

Echoed catcher Russell Martin: "I still love the person, you know? I don't feel any different without him."

The clubhouse — described as "somber" on Thursday by outfielder Andre Ethier — will feel different, though. Ethier said it was hard to describe what the team will lose off the field with Ramirez away.

"It's just, I guess, the overall joyous personality he brings to the locker room," he said. "It's hard to replicate that without having players going out of their way to try to do that. So we're hoping he's going to come hang around at least a little bit and keep us entertained on that aspect."

First baseman James Loney believes the other Dodgers learned enough from that outlook to survive Ramirez's suspension.

"I think guys took different things from him," said Loney, "and kind of make sure that they stay on that right path where they stay loose and just know that day in and day out, they battle out there, and you've got to have fun with it."

There's little doubt, though, Ramirez' absence will test the team.

"It's obviously a distraction and a void in our clubhouse and on the field," said Torre, "but our job is to go out here and play as the Los Angeles Dodgers are supposed to play."

Said Martin: "He obviously makes us better, but we're going to have to keep plugging along."